Lead Principal Strategic Planner

Why work with us?

At Council, we’re proud of our region. We collaborate with community to achieve truly sustainable outcomes, enhance our enviable lifestyle, and create award-winning places and spaces that are uniquely Sunshine Coast. So, if you love it here as much as we do, and you want to help shape the future of our region – you’ll want to join our team!

With the vision to be Australia’s most sustainable region -Connected. Liveable. Thriving, our region is a model of sustainability, where caring for our environment, creating vibrant communities and growing our local economy is a way of life.

About the Role

The Strategic Planning Branch is responsible for the development and management of strategic land use planning policy and the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme, shaping the future of the region in a way that reflects the strategic direction of Council and ensures compliance with relevant legislation.

The Lead Principal Strategic Planner role is responsible for providing strong technical leadership and expertise in the preparation and delivery of complex strategic land use planning projects that reflects Council’s vision.

Primarily, you will:

• Lead and manage the preparation and development of sophisticated strategic land use policy, plans and strategies
• Effectively integrate and balance internal and external interests into the preparation and delivery of coherent and robust strategic land use planning instruments
• Project manage, process, assess and negotiate on a range of assigned complex strategic planning projects, including oversight of project team members, managing consultants, consultancy studies, and meeting set timeframes
• Plan, coordinate and participate in community consultation programs as part of the development of land use strategy/policy and the statutory process for making and amending planning schemes and other local planning instruments
• Provide leadership support to the Coordinator Planning Scheme and Projects in managing a complex and multifaceted program of work

About you

As a professional in this field, you have highly effective communication and decision-making skills, demonstrating these attributes through strong leadership, engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders and balancing competing interests in the development of effective planning policy within a political environment.

As a requirement of this role, you will have a formal relevant qualification (degree) that satisfies membership status (or eligibility to become a member) of the Planning Institute of Australia. You will have demonstrated successful experience in strategic land use planning, particularly in the preparation of complex local planning instruments, local area plans, planning studies, regional growth strategies and the like.

Our Culture & Employee Benefits

Council is committed to creating an inclusive, culturally diverse, healthy, skilled and dedicated workplace culture. As an employee, you will enjoy a range of benefits and working styles to suit you:

• Wellbeing: Your wellbeing is important to us; therefore, we offer a range of initiatives such as discounted health related memberships, fitness passport, employee assistance program and development opportunities. 
• Flexibility: We know it is important to balance life and work, therefore we offer flexible working including a hybrid WFH model to help you be your best.
• Extras: Those extras make a difference therefore we offer salary packaging options on novated leases, superannuation, smartphones and devices. We also pay you 17.5% leave loading and offer relocation assistance for successful candidates residing outside the region.

How to apply

Your written application should include:

• A 1-2 page cover letter demonstrating your ability to fulfil the mandatory and desirable requirements in the Position Profile. Keep the key responsibilities in mind when preparing your cover letter.
• A current resume or curriculum vitae.

Once you have these two documents ready, click ‘Apply Now’ and follow the prompts to complete your application.

Further Information

Helpful information to assist you in completing your application is available on the Sunshine Coast Council website.

To learn more about Council’s vision and projects, you can view the Corporate Plan 2024-2028.

For specific enquiries, contact Jason Krueger (Coordinator Planning Scheme and Projects) during business hours on 07 5420 8710.

We're working hard to create an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse community we serve. If you require assistance at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out to the Recruitment Team [email protected].

At Sunshine Coast Council, we embrace differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background including First Nations, disability, religion and sexual orientation. To deliver the best service to our region we want a workforce that reflects the diverse community that we serve. Sunshine Coast Council strongly encourages all suitable applicants to apply for this role.